Samuel Dubik Mahama, the former Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), has stated that he is ready to fully cooperate with any investigative body established to probe the controversial disappearance of over 1,300 ECG containers at the Tema Port. His statement comes amid growing concerns and public outrage regarding the alarming loss of these containers, which were intended for ECG’s operations.
An investigative committee was formed to look into the matter, and the findings have raised serious questions about the handling of the containers. According to the committee’s report, out of a total of 2,491 containers that were expected to be cleared and distributed by ECG, 1,357 containers have been declared missing.
The missing containers, which reportedly contained vital equipment for ECG’s operations, are believed to have been left at the port for an extended period without being cleared, and now their disappearance has sparked a major scandal. Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, April 3, the former MD expressed his surprise and disappointment over the situation, but he also assured that he would fully cooperate with any probe into the missing containers.
“The containers were never in the custody of the ECG. If they were in ECG’s custody, then you can hold ECG responsible but this is the case that they were still under the port authorities and so I am all for whatever investigations there will be and I am ready to sit with whoever to give my side of the story.”
The investigative report also revealed that:
– Before 2022, ECG had a dedicated fund that received weekly allocations for clearing shipments. However, this practice was discontinued due to a lack of funds, as cited by the ECG board.
– Despite financial constraints, ECG awarded contracts to two firms to clear the containers—one of which was pre-financed by ECG.
– One of these companies did not have the necessary license to handle the contract, raising concerns over procurement violations.
– ECG’s procurement directorate had been merged with its Housing and Estate unit.
– The Director of Procurement had no prior experience in procurement and was not a member of any professional procurement body.
By: Kabah Atawoge
